Launched in 1961, the Simca 1000 was a small, rear engined, RWD saloon which proved to be hugely succesful car for the French manufacturer. Nearly two million units were produced until the production stopped in 1978. Simca 1000 had a several "hot" versions which were very popular in France in the motorsport community.
1970 saw the debut of the Simca 1000 Rallye which looked very sporty, with a matt black bonnet, twin black stripes round the engine compartment, and matt black rally seats for driver and front passenger. It had the 1118 cc engine with 53 bhp. Further work on the engine saw it bored out to 1294cc, and the 1000 Rallye 1 appeared with this power unit producing 60bhp in 1972. In 1973 an even more powerful Rallye version was unveiled. The 1000 Rallye 2 had a modified 1294cc engine with two twin choke carburettors boosting the power to 82bhp. To ensure adequate cooling, the radiator was moved to the front of the car, and disc brakes were fitted all round. Final evolution of the Rallye series appeared in December 1977. Limited to just 1,000 examples, the Rallye 3 boasted 103bhp from a highly tuned 1294cc engine, with alloy wheels as standard.
source: simcatalbotclub.org